DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL // CHICAGO, IL

March 14, 2017

The lights went down, the house music stopped, and the sold out crowd filling the House of Blues started cheering and screaming in excitement. That could only mean one thing: Dashboard Confessional was ready to perform the final show of their winter tour.

I love that bands from my past have come back to the stage again, and I began feeling all sorts of nostalgic as the music filled the room. I remember being in high school when I first saw Dashboard play in the early 2000s. Now I am a working lady, well out of high school, and this band still had me singing along like I was a teenager watching my favorite band.

The five-piece played a slew of songs from their earlier years to start out the night. All the guys had a wonderful stage presence and energy, especially vocalist Chris Carrabba, who had a big grin on his face throughout the entire set. After they played “Vindicated”, “Screaming Infidelities”, “Saints and Sailors”, and more of those well known songs that we love, they also took the time to showcase their newer work as well.

I’ve been to many shows at the House of Blues, and I’m pretty certain this was the most packed I’ve ever seen it. Wall-to-wall, floor to three balconies up–all filled to the brim with people. No one held back their emotions as they sang along to every song. At times, the crowd was so receptive that I almost couldn’t hear Chris Carrabba singing. When Dashboard finished off with fan-favorite “Hands Down,” I was amazed to hear the crowd somehow get even louder.

I left the venue high on happiness and genuinely feeling good. I’m really glad that Dashboard Confessional is back, making music that really hits the emotions in every way. A blast from the past is here to stay.